What are the types of Reusable Cloth Diapers

Are you considering using reusable diapers? Don't get into it without first reading this post.

Seriously! First understand the types of diapers that exist and then try the ones that seem best for your day to day.

Reusable diapers are like a jigsaw puzzle, so you have to know the different types of diapers to be able to put the pieces together.

watch the video where you can see how they are. Remember that there is a lot of prejudice and lack of information about reusable diapers. In fact, they are simple to use if you know how.

If they were complex I wouldn't have used them and you wouldn't be here reading this post either 🙂

This post summarized the different diaper systems reusable cloth.

Take a look at the table below, it has a quick comparison between the different types of nappies.

AND, never say a diaper is complex without trying it first. Remember that riding a bike is difficult until you can balance on it. It's the same with diapers, as soon as you understand How do reusable diapers work? you can use any diaper type quickly, even the old muslins.

Flat diapers are the old fashioned diapers better known as musselinas, which our mothers and grandmothers used, and are gaining popularity again due to their low cost. They are a single-ply square, usually cotton, that can be folded in a variety of ways.

Flat diapers can seem intimidating at first, but they just take a little practice and they become your best friend.

Advantages of muslin reusable diapers

• They are economic; It is generally a single-ply fabric with quick builds;
• dry quickly because they have only one layer of fabric;
• You can do origami folds or bend andm form of rectangle and put inside a cover;
• They don't keep the baby's skin dry so they can help with toileting;

Disadvantages of reusable muslin type nappies

• Not easy to use by parents/grandparents/nursery, require practice in placement;
• Need a pin to trap them (eg Snappi);
• They do not have a waterproof layer you need a cover to waterproof it;
• They are not ready-to-use diapers, have to be folded.
• Does not keep baby's skin dry, many parents consider this a con. Especially if the baby has delicate skin that is prone to infections or diaper rash.

How to use a reusable flat type diaper (muslin) step by step:

1. Fold the diaper the way you like best;
2. Put the diaper on your baby;
3. Secure the diaper with a safety pin or Snappi;
4. Place the cover around the diaper;
5. When the diaper is dirty, remove the cover and the diaper;
6. Remove the cover, place the poop in the toilet and the diaper flat in the bucket/bag of the dirty diapers. If the cover doesn't get dirty with poop, you can reuse it up to 3-4 times.

Type Reusable Diapers: Pre-folded / prefolds

pre-folded are fabric rectangles that you can fold in different ways. As a rule, they have two vertical seams, which you can fold to make a pad and use with any cover or diaper.

In its most common composition, the sides have fewer layers and more in the center. That's why it's called pre-folded, because it's already pre-folded in the center. Generally, pre-folds are made of cotton, bamboo or hemp.

An example of composition is: sides with 4 layers of fabric and a middle with 6 or 8 layers.

these diapers can be placed around the baby and secured with a safety pin, or they can be folded into thirds and placed inside a cover. You should always put a cover over the diaper to waterproof it.

This diaper is great for newborns as it are economical, quick to put on and easy to wash. And the best thing is that can be placed in other diapers as an extra absorbent.

You have to bear in mind that the pre-folds are sold by size.

Advantages of pre-folded reusable diapers

• They are economic;
• dry quickly since they don't have waterproof layers next to them;
• Perfectly fit your baby why do you use a snappi to hold her; the perfect fit avoid the leaks;
• They don't keep the baby's skin dry so they can help with potty training;
• Contrary to appearances, they are easy to use if you fold them into thirds; And so, you can use it as an extra absorbent.

Disadvantages of pre-folded type reusable diapers

• Not easy to use by parents/grandparents/nursery, require practice in placement;
• They are not ready-to-use diapers, have to be folded.
• If not folded in thirds need a pin to hold them together (eg Snappi) and a waterproof cover;
• Does not keep baby's skin dry, many parents consider this a con. Especially if the baby has delicate skin that is prone to infections or diaper rash.

How to use a pre-folded reusable diaper step by step

1. Fold the diaper the way you like it best;
2. If you use a normal fold, place the diaper on the baby and secure it with a safety pin or Snappi. If you use the trifold fold (in 3), place the pre-folded one on the cover and then place the set (absorbent+cover) on the baby;
3. Place the cover around the diaper;
4. When the diaper is dirty, remove the cover and the diaper;
5. Remove the cover and place the poop in the toilet. The Pre-folded diaper goes to wash, in the bucket/bag of dirty diapers.
6.  If the cover doesn't get dirty with poop, you can reuse it. You place a clean Prefold and use the cover again (you can use a maximum of 3.4 times).

Type Reusable Diapers: Contour / Contours

The contour diaper is a diaper between pre-folded and fitted diapers. This diaper is already shaped, but you need a safety pin or Snappi to secure it. It is not waterproof so it needs to be used in conjunction with a cover.

Contour diapers are usually made from natural fibers, so they don't always keep your baby's skin dry. However, as they are made from cotton, bamboo or hemp, they are very absorbent.

Advantages of reusable contour diapers

• They don't need to be folded;
• Well placed, they work very well because they don't leak;
• They're easy to use. Simply place the diaper on the baby, secure it and place a cover over the top.
• They don't keep the baby's skin dry so they can help with toileting;

Disadvantages of reusable contour diapers

• They are not easy to use for parents/grandparents/nursery, they require practice in their placement;
• They need a pin to hold them (for example Snappi) and a waterproof cover;
• They don't keep the baby's skin dry, many parents consider this a con. Especially if the baby has delicate skin that is prone to infections or diaper rash.

How to use a Contour Diaper step by step

1. Put the diaper on the baby;
2. Secure the diaper with a safety pin or Snappi;
3. Put the cover around the diaper;
4. When the diaper is dirty, remove the cover and diaper;
5. Remove the cover, place the “solids” in the toilet and the Contour Diaper in the bucket/bag of the dirty diapers.
6. Replace a Contour Diaper and cover. If the cover you removed does not contain “solids” you can reuse it.

Type Reusable Diapers: Fitted / Fitteds

The helped diapers are already shaped and come with clips or velcro to secure them. They don't need to be folded like pre-folded or flat. They are usually made of cotton, bamboo or hemp, and are very absorbent despite not keeping the baby's skin dry. They are not waterproof, so they need to be used in conjunction with a cover.

Advantages of reusable diapers adjusted

• They don't need to be folded;
• They work very well, because they are very absorbent, they don't leak;
• They're easy to use. Simply place the diaper on the baby, then place a cover over the top.
• They don't keep the baby's skin dry so they can help with potty training.

Disadvantages of reusable diapers adjusted

• They are not easy to use for parents/grandparents/nursery, they require practice in their placement;
• They need to be used in sets with a cover;
• They don't keep the baby's skin dry, many parents consider this a con. Especially if the baby has delicate skin that is prone to infections or diaper rash.

How to use a Fitted Diaper step by step

1. Put the diaper on the baby and adjust them with the snaps or velcro;
2. Put the cover around the diaper;
3. When the diaper is dirty, remove the cover and diaper;
4. Remove the cover, place the “solids” in the toilet and the Contour Diaper in the bucket/bag of the dirty diapers.
5. Replace a Contour Diaper and cover. If the cover you removed does not contain “solids” you can reuse it.

Type Reusable Diapers: Hybrid

Hybrid diapers are a mix between disposable and cloth diapers. Usually, they come with a reusable cover, and you can choose between a biodegradable disposable pad or a reusable cloth pad.

Advantages of reusable diapers hybrids

• They don't need to be folded;
• They are similar to disposable diapers, making them easy to use for daddies/grandparents/daycare;
• Allow the cover to be reused;

Disadvantages of reusable diapers hybrids

• If you always use disposable pads they become an expensive option.

How to use a Hybrid Diaper step by step

1. Place the absorbent in the cover;
2. Place the diaper with the absorbent on the baby as if it were a disposable diaper;
3. Adjust the diaper with the snaps or Velcro;
4. When the diaper is dirty, remove the absorbent (if disposable, put it in the trash), remove the "solids" to the toilet and place the diaper in the bucket/bag of dirty diapers;
5. If the cover is clean, put a new absorbent and adjust the diaper on the baby again;
6. If the cover is dirty, place it in the bucket/bag of dirty diapers.

Type Reusable Diapers: Pocket / Pocket

Pocket diapers are the so-called modern cloth diapers, and they are easy to use for daddies/grandparents/nursery. They do not require a cover and the adjustment is made with springs or velcro.

They are pocket-sized because they are made with a waterproof layer on the outside, and an inner layer that keeps the baby's skin dry. Between the two layers there is a pocket in which the pads are placed. Absorbent pads can be microfiber, cotton, bamboo or hemp.

Advantages of reusable diapers bag

• Pocket diapers are similar to disposables, making them easy to use for dads/grandparents/daycare;
• They do not need a waterproof cover. The cover is part of the diaper;
• The pocket can take multiple pads to add extra absorbency;
• Pocket diapers are usually made with a layer that keeps the baby's skin dry;
• Cloth diapers made from natural fibers, such as cotton or bamboo, make the baby feel wet, which can help with potty training;

Disadvantages of reusable diapers bag

• Pocket diapers can be more expensive than traditional, flat or pre-folded diapers;
• Cloth diapers require an extra step after washing, putting the pads in the pocket.

How to use a Cloth Diaper step by step

1. Put the pads in your pocket;
2. Put the diaper on the baby and close;
3. When the diaper is dirty, remove it.
4. Put the “solids” in the toilet;
5. Remove pads from diaper. If the diaper has a Velcro closure, close the flaps.
6. Place the diaper and pads in the bucket/bag of dirty diapers;
7. Put a new diaper on the baby.

Type Reusable Diapers: Pocket or all in one with Sleeve / Sleeves

Sleeve diapers are similar to pocket diapers, they are also called pocket diapers. The difference is that the pocket has two openings, one on each side. The advantage is that it is not necessary to remove the pads when the diaper is dirty. Simply place the diaper together with the other dirty diapers, during the wash the washing machine itself will shake the diapers and the pads will come out.

Advantages of reusable sleeve or pocket diapers with openings

• Sleeve diapers are similar to disposable diapers, making them easy to use for dads/grandparents/daycare;
• They do not need a waterproof cover. The cover is part of the diaper;
• If needed, the diaper can take more pads to add absorbency;
• Sleeve diapers are usually made with a layer that keeps the baby's skin dry;
• With sleeve diapers, you don't need to remove the pads when the diaper is dirty;

Disadvantages of reusable diapers with openings

• Sleeve diapers can be more expensive than traditional diapers such as flat or pre-folded diapers;
• They require an extra step after washing, putting the pads in the pocket.

How to use a Mango Diaper step by step

1. Put the pads in your pocket;
2. Put the diaper on the baby and close it;
3. When the diaper is dirty, remove it.
4. Put the “solids” in the toilet;
5. Remove pads from diaper. If the diaper has a Velcro closure, close the flaps.
6. Place the diaper with the pads in the bucket/bag of dirty diapers;
7. Put a new diaper on the baby.

Type Reusable Diapers: All in Two or Snap in One / All in Two

All-in-two diapers are like pocket diapers, except that instead of putting the pad in the pocket, it is placed directly on the diaper.

Advantages of all-in-two or snap-in-one reusable diapers

• All-in-Two diapers are similar to disposable diapers, making them easy to use for daddies/grandparents/daycare;
• They do not need a waterproof cover. The cover is part of the diaper;
• With the all-in-two diapers, you don't need to remove the pads when the diaper is dirty;

Disadvantages of all-in-two or snap-in-one reusable diapers

• All-in-two diapers can be more expensive than traditional diapers such as flat or pre-folded diapers;
• They require an extra step after washing, putting on pads.

How to use an All in Two Diaper / Snap in Two step by step

1. Place the pads in the diaper;
2. Put the diaper on the baby and close it;
3. When the diaper is dirty, remove it.
4. Put the “solids” in the toilet;
5. Remove pads from diaper. If the diaper has a Velcro closure, close the flaps.
6. Place the diaper with the pads in the bucket/bag of dirty diapers. These diapers work like the Hybrids, if the cover is not soiled with “solids” it can be reused;
7. Put a new diaper on the baby.

Type Reusable Diapers: All in one / All in one

All-in-one diapers with a waterproof outer layer and whose absorbents are already sewn into the diaper. The advantage of these diapers is that they don't require any extra steps after washing.

Advantages of reusable diapers all in one

• The All in One are similar to disposable diapers, making them easy to use for dads/grandparents/daycare;
• They do not need a waterproof cover. The cover is part of the diaper;
• With All-in-One diapers, you don't need to remove pads when the diaper is dirty;
• Some All-in-One diapers have pockets that allow you to easily add extra absorbency; This pocket is useful when babies pee a lot;
• They can be used as soon as they are dry. They do not require any preparation steps;
• Some all-in diapers are made with a layer that keeps baby's skin dry at all times;

Disadvantages of reusable diapers all in one

• All-in-one diapers can be more expensive than traditional diapers such as flat or pre-folded diapers;
• They usually need more time to dry.

How to use a diaper all in one step by step

1. Put the diaper on the baby and close it;
2. When the diaper is dirty, remove it.
3. Put the “solids” in the toilet;
4. If the diaper has a Velcro closure, close the flaps.
5. Put a new diaper on the baby.